Chinese-owned mine fined a mere US$375 after Mhangura hospital explosion
MHANGURA – A Chinese-owned mine operating in Mhangura has been fined a mere US$375 by the Zimbabwean government following a surface blast last week that damaged a building at Makonde Christian Hospital and surrounding staff residences.
The penalty has sparked public outcry and raised concerns about the adequacy of regulations and accountability in the mining sector.
The blast, which occurred last week, prompted the Provincial Mining Director for Mashonaland West Province to suspend all surface blasting operations at Mhangura Mine, owned by Zimbabwe Mining Development Corporation (Pvt) Ltd.
A letter from the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development, dated May 16, 2025, informed the mine manager that operations were suspended following an inspection on May 15.
The letter, signed by, Inspector of Mines and Explosives, further stated that the mine would be required to pay a fee of US$375 for the resumption of operations.
“Following a surface blasting inspection done at your mine on the 15th of May 2025, all surface blasting operations are hereby suspended. You will also be advised in due course of any issues raised from the investigation which you will be required to address as soon as possible.
“May you please submit your underground plan, surface plan and the mining method.
“Please be advised that you will be required to pay a fee of US$375.00 for resumption of operations as stated by the Mining (General) (Amendment) Regulation, S.1 40 of 2022,” read the letter.
Residents of Mhangura allege that the blast was permitted by both the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) and the Ministry of Mines, despite previous complaints regarding the mine’s operations.
Concerns have been raised about safety, environmental degradation, and a lack of accountability from Chinese mining companies operating in the region.
The blast caused significant infrastructure damage, prompting residents to demand immediate action. Calls have been made for the cessation of all mining activities at the site to prevent further harm.
Residents are also demanding that the company fully repair all damages to the hospital and staff houses. Some have gone further, advocating for the relocation and rebuilding of the hospital and accommodations to ensure long-term safety and sustainability.
There are also demands for mine management, blasters, geologists, and officials who approved the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) to face charges for their roles in the incident.
Meanwhile, a recent report by the Centre for Natural Resource Governance (CNRG) criticised the impact of Chinese-owned mining operations in Zimbabwe, despite acknowledging their role in funding crucial infrastructure projects and injecting foreign direct investment (FDI) into the economy.
While the “all-weather” relationship between Zimbabwe and China has facilitated significant progress on long-stalled initiatives like the Matabeleland Zambezi Water Pipeline, the report raised serious concerns about the social and environmental costs.
It highlighted that the benefits of these investments are not adequately reaching local populations, and instead, are linked to environmental degradation, disregard for local communities and cultures, and exploitative labor practices.
The report, titled “INVESTMENTS OR PLUNDER?: An Assessment of the Impacts of Chinese Investments in Zimbabwe’s Extractive Sector,” detailed a surge in Chinese investment, particularly in the mining sector, with China becoming Zimbabwe’s dominant investment partner.
This influx of capital is, however, reportedly accompanied by negative consequences, including a lack of trickle-down benefits to local communities, instances of illegal cash holdings and externalisation of funds by Chinese nationals, and severe ecological damage from mining operations, including the outlawed practice of mining along riverbeds.
The CNRG also points to accusations of Chinese companies operating with impunity, flouting regulations, and perpetrating various forms of violence against local communities, with little government action to address these complaints.
The CNRG report attributes Zimbabwe’s reliance on Chinese investment to its “Look East Policy” adopted after Western nations ostracized the country.
This has led to an asymmetry in economic benefits, with concerns about unfair deals and a perceived “new form of colonisation and slavery” by some workers due to poor labor conditions, discrimination, and lack of benefits.
The report suggested that the perceived impunity of Chinese investors stems from their influential role within Zimbabwe’s political landscape, fostering mistrust between Chinese companies and local communities, and raising broader concerns about similar patterns of exploitation and neo-colonial relationships across Africa.
